MINING.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 17 September 1864, Page 5

MINING.

There is comparatively little to report on the subject of mining. For some time past the goldfields in the neighboring Province of Otago have been in a quiet Btate, as i» usual in the winter season, but the escorts are again beginning to improve. A very important feature in the intelligence from the various gold-producing district* is the growing disposition of miners to settle down on one spot, and in a measure forsake their usual love for " fresh fieldsand pastures new." A great many are taking to the cultivation of plots of land, for garden purposes, while the establishment of dailies likewise points to the settled character of the population. The introduction of machinery on a more extensive icale than has hitherto been the case is looked forward to as producing great and important results in the yield of the precious metal, and a spirit of combination amongst the mining community is daily gaining ground. This combination of parties, which means al»a the amalgamation of their means, gives greater | facilities for the carrying out of operations on a ; more extensive system, in cases where the efforts of small parties of men hare been unattended with success. The news from the Nokomai goldfields, on the borders of the Province, ha« latterly been of a very satisfactory character, and the district at the head of Lake 'Wakatipu appears to be increasing in favor with the mineri who have been so frequently flooded but on their claims on the Arrow and ShoWer. A party of nine, headed by Mr. A. J. Barrington, the West Coast explorer, has started two days ago for Jackson's Bay, to pursue their search for gold in that locality. They have provided themselves with a twelvemonth's supply of the neceigaries of life, and a great quantity of tools and other requisite appliances for a lengthened absence from any place of supply. It is shrewdly suspected by some that Barrington knows more of the nature and resources of the country around Jackson's Bay than he has thought fit to devulge up to the present time. The party have started in the best possible spirits, and have the sincere wishes of everyone for success in their enterprising adventure. The news from the West Coast of Canterbury, which, at the departure of the last mail, pointed to the speedy development of an extensive goldfield in that Province, are now less blended with their original couleur de rose, and many disappointed diggers have forsaken the Grey and the Teremakau in disgust, pronouncing the Ohonu diggings in their usual parlance, a duffer. The ilarlborough goldfields are still in a prosperous condition, and give remunerative employment to a considerable number of miners. The last escort conveyed to Picton 1,000 ounces of gold, and a large amount over and above, was reported to be left behind at Havelock. Several items of mining intelligence will b» found in another part of this issue. -4*